Marching for hope and pride

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This article was published 15/06/2015 (3827 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In what organizers said was the largest Pride Winnipeg parade ever, 70 entrants and more than 1,000 participants marched Sunday afternoon along Broadway, Memorial Boulevard, York Avenue and Garry Street.

Parade entrants included floats, vehicles, cyclists, strollers, wheelchairs and people walking. Under the 2015 theme of Evolution, brilliant colours, costumes and rainbows were everywhere.

The streets were lined with supporters who included adults, children and pets, many of whom were also colourfully dressed in rainbow-themed attire.

The rainbow flag is a symbol of pride and the social movement of LGBTTQ* — which stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit and queer. The asterisk represents other gender identities and sexual orientations.

Prior to the parade, an energetic rally was held at the Manitoba legislature featuring speakers such as Premier Greg Selinger, Mayor Brian Bowman, Pride Winnipeg president Jonathan Niemczak, honorary youth marshal Maree Rodriguez and grand marshal Shandi Strong.

The rally and parade began in 1987 when about 250 people from the LGBTTQ* community participated in the first celebrations after the Manitoba Human Rights Code — which included sexual orientation — was passed.

Niemczak said it’s important to remember the event’s roots.

“We do the rally and the parade here to remember 28 years ago when we finally got some rights. We follow the same route that those folks did back in 1987,” Niemczak said. “I’m actually the same age as Pride (turning 28). I’m very fortunate and very grateful for what the folks did before me so that I can live openly, freely, without fear of being discriminated against and be who I am.”

Strong told the crowd she never imagined she’d be the parade grand marshal because five years ago she lost a 15-year career when her employer fired her the day after she had worked up the courage to explain to her colleagues she was transitioning to female.

“Becoming involved in this community over the years has cemented the fact I am not alone and need not be ever again,” Strong said.

She encouraged everyone — within and around the LGBTTQ* community — to make an effort to understand those around them who may seem different as “understanding is a process of evolution.”

“Treat everyone with the same respect that you expect for yourself. Correct transphobic remarks made by others. Don’t out anyone without their expressed permission. Be an ally; you might just be saving a life,” she said.

Sarah Forester and Joanna Moore attended the rally and parade for the third time and had their dogs Coco Puff, a nine-year-old Pomeranian, and Bubba, a 13-year-old shepherd cross.

“A lot of people have gotten beaten for who they are. It’s important to have this (rally and parade) to stand up for who you are,” Moore said.

Strong said the generation growing up right now is playing a key role in changing perceptions of LGBTTQ* individuals.

“Do you remember a time in the world when a person of colour had to ride in the back of a bus, drink from a different water fountain, couldn’t marry a person that was Caucasian or had to sit in a different section of the movie theatre? Your grandparents do,” she said. “Do you remember when being gay, lesbian or trans caused drama or destroyed families? Your grandchildren won’t.”

Among the many parade participants were representatives from a number of city high schools, the Winnipeg police, the Wolfpack women’s tackle football team, the Manitoba Teachers’ Society, Rainbow Stage, the Winnipeg Goldeyes baseball club with mascots Goldie and Goldette, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers football club with mascots Buzz and Boomer and Blue Lightning cheer team members, Klinic, and a mass of supporters who joined the march at the end of the parade.

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca